Floating dock.



U. LAURENTI.

"FLOATING DOCK.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 19, 1910.

998,970. Patented July 25, 1911.

INVENTOR I I WITNESSES: M 1/ MIA HANOGIAPH CO" WASHINGTON. D: C. v

ITEI) STATES PATENT @FFICE.

CESARE LAURENTI, OF SPEZIA, ITALY, ASSIGNOR TO SOCIETA ANONIMA FIAT-SAN GIORGIO, OF SPEZIA, ITALY.

FLOATING DOCK.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GESARE LAURENTI, engineer, of Spezia, Italy, have invented certain new and useful Improvements 1n or Relating to Floating Docks, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification.

One of the greatest dangers to which submarine or submersible vessels are exposed consists in the sumberging of the hull to great depths in order to ascertain its resistance to the effects of external pressure. These tests usually entail the risk of losing large sums and the lives of several persons.

The object of this invention is to provide a floating dock whereby the above mentioned results can be obtained without danger.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation, of one construction of floating dock according to this invention, Figs. 2, 3 and 4t are transverse sections, Fig. 5 a detail crossview showing the door or gate, Fig. 6 is a plan of the floating dock.

at is a sheet-metal cylinder (Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6) of sufficient length and diameter to accommodate the submarine or submersible vessel to be tested, and terminating in a domed cover 6. In order to maintain this cylinder afloat, empty sheet-metal caissons 0, (Z, 6, f, (Figs. 1, 3, 4 and 6) are attached to it, the said caissons displacing sutficient water to counterbalance the weight of the entire structure.

To enable the structure to be used continuously where it serves as a floating dock for long narrow vessels, the upper portion 9 of the large sheet-metal cylinder (Figs. 2, 3 and 4t) is taken off, and the end caisson f (Figs. 1 and (S) is constructed in such a manner that a door or gate '5 (Fig. 5) is arranged in the recess it, just in the same manner as in bricked graving docks. In order to strengthen the whole structure when the upper sheet-metal portion 9 has been removed, double frames 70 76 (Figs. 1, 2 and 6) are provided. The end caisson 0 (Figs. 1, 3 and 6) is fitted with a steam boiler and pump (plunger or pulsometer pump), which discharge the water out of the caissons 0, (Z, c, f, by means of pipes Z. To dry-dock the submarine vessel after it has entered the cylinder, the end is closed by means of the gate 71, the same means are adopted as in other docks, the valves m m being opened by means of the operating mechanism a, n,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 19, 1910.

Patented July 25, 1911.

Serial No. 562,303.

(Figs. 1 and 3) whereupon the water in the cylinder drains into the caissons c, d, c, f, lowering the water level in the cylinder and setting the gate 2' in operation. At the same time the pump draws the water out of the calssons 0, (Z, c, f, until the dock is entirely emptied and the vessel is on a dry floor.

To determine the resistance of the hull of a submarine to external pressure, all the projecting portions of the vessel that would prevent it from entering the cylinder while the part 9 is in position, are removed. When the submarine has entered, and the plate 9 has been bolted in position, the entrance opening of the cylinder is closed by means of a domed cover, similar to the cover 7), fastened down by bolts. The space between the cylinder a and the body of the vessel is then filled with water, and the water pressure is raised, by means of the pump, to that corresponding with the depth at which it is desired to test the submarine. Since it is not diflicult to establish a communication between the interior of the submarine and the outside world all the phases of this operation can be carried out with the greatest security to the staif, which can stop the pumps on the least sign of danger.

What I claim is:

1. In a floating dry dock, the combination of a cylindrical water-tight receptacle adapted to entirely inclose a vessel, means for admitting a vessel to said receptacle, and caissons supporting said receptacle.

2. In a floating dry dock, the combination of a water-tight cylindrical receptacle, adapted to entirely inclose a vessel, an end gate in said receptacle, and caissons supporting said receptacle.

3. In a floating dry dock, the combination of a cylindrical water-tight receptacle adapted to entirely inclose a vessel, caissons supporting said receptacle, and means for removing water from said receptacle.

4. In a floating dry dock, the combination of a cylindrical water-tight receptacle adapted to entirely inclose a vessel, caissons supporting said receptacle, and having communication with said receptacle, and means for removing water from said caissons.

5. In a floating dry dock, the combination of a cylindrical receptacle, caissons supporting said receptacle, means for completely closing said receptacle and means for forcing water under pressure into said receptacle.

6. In a floating dry dock, the combination of a cylindrical receptacle, caissons support-- ing said receptacle, means for removing Water from said receptacle and caissons, a closure for said receptacle, and means for forcing Water under pressure into said receptacle.

7. The combination of a Water-tight receptable adapted to receive and entirely inclose a submarine boat, and means for applying pressure upon the exterior of said boat Within said receptacle.

8. The combination of a Water-tight receptacle adapted to receive and entirely inclose a submarine boat, and means for applying fluid pressure upon the exterior of said boat Within said receptacle.

9. The combination of a Water-tight receptacle open at its end to receive and entirely inclose a submarine boat, means for closing such end, and means for applying pressure upon the exterior of said boat Within said receptacle.

10. The combination of a Water-tight inclosing receptacle open at its end to receive a submarine boat, means for closing such end, and means for applying fluid pressure upon the exterior of said boat Within said receptacle.

11. The combination of a Water-tight inclosing receptacle, means for floating said receptacle, said receptacle adapted to receive a submarine boat and means for applying pressure upon the outside of said boat Within said receptacle.

12. In a floating dry-dock, the combination of a receptacle adapted to receive a boat, and caissons supporting said receptacle, said caissons crossing under said receptacle and adapted to receive the Water from said receptacle.

18. In a floating dry-dock, the combination of a receptacle adapted to receive a boat, an end gate in said receptacle, caissons supporting said receptacle, said caissons cross ing under said receptacle and having valved openings leading to said receptacle whereby Water is adapted to be received from said receptacle, and means for pumping Water from said caissons.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of tWo subscribing Witnesses.

CESARE LAURENTI.

l/Vitnesses GUIDo CoRRADI, ANGELO BORAGNIA.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

